With only two weeks to go and more than 700 participants, the WCSJ2013 organisers are now in the home stretch for the 8th World Conference of Science Journalists.
The most important global event for the science journalists, communication professionals and media officers is made possible because of the strong support from our community: associations, organisations, small companies, big corporations and many colleagues.
“I have been privileged to meet numerous talented and devoted individuals across the world,” says Satu Lipponen, president of WCSJ2013 and the Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalist.
“They all have valued science journalism and understood that integrity is an intrinsic part of journalism. This has formed a basis for a fruitful collaboration and a high quality programme. Governmental institutions, NGOs, research institutes, media and other industries need independent, critical science journalism.
“The World Conference of Science Journalists has grown during the years to a unique global gathering and the sponsors and supporters are a firm part of this success story.
“I thank you for your continuous backing.”
WCSJ2013 main supporters
The leading conference partner of the conference is the University of Helsinki, donating the venue for the conference. The city campus of the university, right in the hearth of Helsinki, is the best possible place for an event like this, not only because of the access, but also the variety of the halls, auditoriums and other spaces available.
The gold partners of the WCSJ2013 are Qatar Foundation and Johnson & Johnson Innovation.
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private, non-profit organisation that supports and operates programs in education, science and research, and community development. The Foundation promotes a culture of excellence in Qatar and furthers its role in supporting an innovative and open society that aspires to develop sustainable human capacity, social, and economic prosperity for a knowledge-based economy.
Johnson & Johnson is the world’s largest and most diverse medical devices and diagnostics company and world leader in biologics, consumer health and pharmaceuticals. With headquarters is in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, Johnson & Johnson has more than 275 operating companies in more than 60 countries employing nearly 128,000 people. The company embrace research and science, touching the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world with innovative ideas, products and services.
The Silver partner is São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), an independent public foundation with the mission to foster research and the scientific and technological development of the State of São Paulo. The Foundation works in close contact with the scientific community and has a portfolio of funding opportunities which include fellowships and research grants. FAPESP has also research initiatives on Bioenergy and on Global Climate Change and supports large research programs in Biodiversity and in Information Technology.
GE Healthcare is the programme track sponsor: the daily GE produced panels will bring top speakers to discuss, for example, the public interest in medical science advances and different energy solutions. GE Healthcare is a specialist in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services.
The main sponsor of the welcome reception is Nordforsk, an organisation under the Nordic Council of Ministers that works to enhance added value to existing research activities in the Nordic countries, and thereby strengthen the position and influence of Nordic research, both in Europe and globally.
WCSJ2013 media partners
SciDev.Net and Nature are media partners for conference.
SciDev.Net are the leading site for news and analysis on science and technology in the developing world; they are also funding the attendance of a dozen journalists from the global south and helping to develop the skills of journalism interns with IDRC and Wellcome Trust.
During the conference, SciDev.Net will bring (in addition to blogs on their website) an interesting event for you:
Bridging science journalism and global development
Wednesday, 26 June, lunchtime, Press room
In 2012 SciDev.Net conducted a survey of nearly 4000 respondents around the world exploring their thoughts on science and how decisions are made. The results informed the organisation’s new strategy and website. The editorial team in London and regional coordinators from across the Global South reflect on the findings and their new focus.
Please note that seating is limited. As food and drink will be provided, please contact [email protected] to request your space.
Core skills for science journalists: Reflections from across cultures
Wednesday, 26 June, afternoon plenary at 16:00
SciDev.Net’s director Nick Perkins will chair this plenary looking at the challenges to science journalism in different parts of the world. See program for more details.
If you are interested in how Science Journalism can improve the lives of those in the developing world, please visit SciDev.Net website www.scidev.net and sign up for all the latest updates.
Focusing on the needs of scientists, Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading weekly, international scientific journal. In addition, for this audience, Nature Publishing Group publishes the Nature research journals and NatureReviews journals, plus a range of prestigious academic journals including society-owned publications.
Online, nature.com provides over 6 million visitors per month with access to publications and online databases and services, including news and comment from Nature, NatureJobs plus access to Nature Network and Nature Education’s Scitable.com.
Nature will hold a press conference at the WCSJ2013 on Tuesday 25 June.
The other WCSJ2013 supporters are
The organisation thanks once again for all the support and makes sure that the conference will be successful.
Please remember that the online registration is possible until 16 June and after that the only way to come along is on-site registration. If you are planning to come to the WCSJ2013 and you have not registrated yet, we strongly encourage to register as soon as possible – in two weeks the show is already going on!
The next newsletter, sent later this week, will focus on the exhibition and gives some practical tips for your trip to Helsinki.
WCSJ2013 is organised by Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalists and the World Federation of Science Journalists with substantial aid from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland and University of Helsinki.
The conference is generously supported by:
List of the delegates who attended WCSJ2013 has been published.
© WCSJ2013 | [email protected] | www.fasej.fi | www.wfsj.org
